In my presentation earlier this week, I discussed ideas of inheritance in relation to the older generation of women in Mansfield Park, so I thought I’d move on to discussed how inheritance ties into characters from the younger (and in many ways, more central) generation. Fanny is the obvious place to start in regard to this endeavor. I find Fanny’s situation particularly complex with regard to what she stands to inherit. This is due, largely, to her roles within two different families. To adopt the language of Jill’s earlier presentation, Fanny is initially situated in two distinct, familial, tableaus. Her role in the Price family is that of the absent daughter, whereas her role in the Bertram family is that of the present immigrant. Because of this, her status, in relation to the statuses of other characters, is complicated. On one hand, she is elevated above the situation of her biological family due to her residence at Mansfield Park. This is evidenced by the sense of discord she feels when she temporarily returns to Portsmouth. On the other hand, although her role in the Bertram family elevates her, it also oppresses her. She is not treated as a true daughter of the family. In fact, it is mentioned early in the novel that the adults are concerned that a distinction be made between her and the “Miss Bertrams.” This implies that her place in the Bertram tableau is conditional. In considering how this ties into the idea of inheritance, I’m thinking of the ideas of social inheritance and financial inheritance. I’m also thinking of whether inheritance can be interpreted loosely, as something we acquire from any external force, as opposed to something left upon dying. I would argue that Fanny’s situation at the end of the novel is a product of the social inheritance bestowed by her dual upbringing. On one hand, Fanny is very much aware of social strata because she was born into a family who is situated on the lower end of the class continuum. In addition, characters like Mrs. Norris reinforce this awareness by drawing repeated attention to the fact that she should “know her place.” However, the fact that she is enfolded into a family of a higher class allows for aninheritance of a certain degree of social mobility. In other words, her place in the Bertram family allows her access to society that she might have been denied had she continued to live solely with her biological family unit. Fanny has, in this sense, inherited various awarenesses and expectations with regard to society, and this seems to lead, in part, to her ultimate position as Edmund’s wife. Fanny’s consciousness of her humbler origins seems to make her a more self-aware and careful character than her contemporaries. At the same time, it is her enhanced status that allows her to transition into her marriage. With regard to financial inheritance, it’s clear that Fanny does not have the same privileges and resources as other characters. However, it’s also worth noting that she seems less concerned with them than are some characters who have more than her. For example, Mary Crawford is very infatuated with financial success as a criterion for selecting a husband. Even though Edmund appeals to her, she is unable to transcend the specificity of these requirements. On the other hand, material wealth is not something that enters into Fanny’s matrimonial decisions, as evidenced by her refusal of Henry Crawford and her steadfast attachment to Edmund. In considering this, I wonder to what extent this viewpoint is inherited. For example, instead of making her hyperfocused on material wealth, has coming from a financially insecure background allowed Fanny to transcend such concerns in her views on marriage and companionship? And so conclude my musings for today!
ENGL864 Response for 6/19
In my presentation earlier this week, I discussed ideas of inheritance in relation to the older generation of women in Mansfield Park, so I thought I’d move on to discussed how inheritance ties into characters from the younger (and in many ways, more central) generation. Fanny is the obvious place to start in regard to this endeavor. I find Fanny’s situation particularly complex with regard to what she stands to inherit. This is due, largely, to her roles within two different families. To adopt the language of Jill’s earlier presentation, Fanny is initially situated in two distinct, familial, tableaus. Her role in the Price family is that of the absent daughter, whereas her role in the Bertram family is that of the present immigrant. Because of this, her status, in relation to the statuses of other characters, is complicated. On one hand, she is elevated above the situation of her biological family due to her residence at Mansfield Park. This is evidenced by the sense of discord she feels when she temporarily returns to Portsmouth. On the other hand, although her role in the Bertram family elevates her, it also oppresses her. She is not treated as a true daughter of the family. In fact, it is mentioned early in the novel that the adults are concerned that a distinction be made between her and the “Miss Bertrams.” This implies that her place in the Bertram tableau is conditional. In considering how this ties into the idea of inheritance, I’m thinking of the ideas of social inheritance and financial inheritance. I’m also thinking of whether inheritance can be interpreted loosely, as something we acquire from any external force, as opposed to something left upon dying.
I would argue that Fanny’s situation at the end of the novel is a product of the social inheritance bestowed by her dual upbringing. On one hand, Fanny is very much aware of social strata because she was born into a family who is situated on the lower end of the class continuum. In addition, characters like Mrs. Norris reinforce this awareness by drawing repeated attention to the fact that she should “know her place.” However, the fact that she is enfolded into a family of a higher class allows for aninheritance of a certain degree of social mobility. In other words, her place in the Bertram family allows her access to society that she might have been denied had she continued to live solely with her biological family unit. Fanny has, in this sense, inherited various awarenesses and expectations with regard to society, and this seems to lead, in part, to her ultimate position as Edmund’s wife. Fanny’s consciousness of her humbler origins seems to make her a more self-aware and careful character than her contemporaries. At the same time, it is her enhanced status that allows her to transition into her marriage.
With regard to financial inheritance, it’s clear that Fanny does not have the same privileges and resources as other characters. However, it’s also worth noting that she seems less concerned with them than are some characters who have more than her. For example, Mary Crawford is very infatuated with financial success as a criterion for selecting a husband. Even though Edmund appeals to her, she is unable to transcend the specificity of these requirements. On the other hand, material wealth is not something that enters into Fanny’s matrimonial decisions, as evidenced by her refusal of Henry Crawford and her steadfast attachment to Edmund. In considering this, I wonder to what extent this viewpoint is inherited. For example, instead of making her hyperfocused on material wealth, has coming from a financially insecure background allowed Fanny to transcend such concerns in her views on marriage and companionship?
And so conclude my musings for today!